UHS discusses big moves, priorities

Tuesday brought the first report to members of the University Health System board since Bexar County commissioners in August approved the UHS tax hike that will help pay for almost $900 million in upgrades to the public hospital system, including a new trauma tower, more parking and a revamp of the section of the hospital built in 1968 where some patients must bed four to a room and use a shower shared by more than 20 other patients.

It was also the first presentation on the master facility plan by Mark Webb, hired away from his city airport director post to manage the expansion.

It’s early yet, so Webb mostly told them how he plans to divvy up the work, and suggested a design competition for the jobs, which will be concentrated at the Medical Center facilities and the old Brady Green building downtown.

Board Chairman Dr. Robert Jimenez asked how the plan will address the “horrendous traffic” in the area.

“It’s impossible to get in and out of this place,” he said.

Webb responded that Pape-Dawson Engineers is doing a traffic study, and UHS President George Hernandez said traffic is also being addressed through an amendment in an agreement with the Karlsberger firm.

Another thing to keep in mind, Jimenez said, is that many people who use the hospital bring their children – lots of them. He’s not calling for a playground, just a spacial plan that takes that into account, he said.

“That’s the reality of the culture that we serve,” added board member Ira Smith Jr.

In a separate presentation, Chief Nursing Officer Nancy Ray was explaining the hospital’s years-long work toward getting a Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Board member James Adams asked Ray if that task might detract from the energy required to do the master plan update.

Ray replied, “I don’t think there is a nurse who works in the 1968 building who isn’t concerned about the quality of care delivered in that building.”

Privacy and infection control issues are the primary concerns in that part of the hospital, Ray said.